RUBEN SAFRASTYAN: TURKEY WILL INCREASE PRESSURE ON ARMENIA IF US PRESIDENT USES WORD ‘GENOCIDE’ IN HIS SPEECH ON APRIL 24

ArmInfo
2009-03-30 17:46:00

ArmInfo. In case US president Barack Obama uses the word ‘genocide’
in his April 24 speech, Turkey will increase pressure on Armenia to
demonstrate the United States how they damaged Armenia, Director of
the Oriental Studies Institute, Armenian National Academy of Science,
turcologist Ruben Safrastyan told media Monday.

‘Anyway, diplomatic relations will be established between the two
states.

However, their embassies will not open soon. Turkish authorities
will make a final decision on the course of developing the relations
with Armenia in late April or early May after Obama uses the word
‘genocide’ or not’, he said. R. Safrastyan is sure that Turkish
Foreign Ministry has already prepared a few schemes to use depending
on the situation with Obama’s speech. ‘If Obama does not use the word
‘genocide’, Turkey will take some steps to normalize the relations
with Armenia. I cannot say what specific steps it will take, but it
will be gradually’ Safrastyan said.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress